The Horrible History of Chippenham

They’re not show offs at the Neeld Community and Arts Centre in Chippenham, they’re show-ons!

They’ve certainly booked a huge variety of class acts akin to city status, and through 2018 they intend to continue.

A tribute to classic blues-rock is forthcoming with Voodoo Room, but from Nicolas Parsons’ sold out stand-up to a Big Fish Little Fish family rave, no one can argue variety is the key to Neeld’s ethos; and that’s just next month!

I’m personally “well up” for April 16th when legendary R&B mod Georgie Fame will steal the thunder. But as an example of the variety on offer here I’d like to draw your attention to the Horrible Histories Show on 3rd June. If you’re asking why I’m drawing your attention to it, you’ve obviously not sat and read the amazing books or watched the awesome CBBC programs with your kids.

It’s ingeniously written, with gruesome facts and highly amusing sketches. My only complaint is jealousy, that history was never this fun in my school days. If just one of my teachers could’ve come anywhere near as entertaining as this, I might have stopped staring at Tracey Slater’s legs all lesson and paid attention.

The show, subtitled, “more best of barmy Britain,” is written by Terry Deary and Neal Foster, and produced by the Birmingham Stage Company. Deary, the world’s bestselling non-fiction children’s author, has 200 books under his belt, translated into 40 languages. His 50 Horrible Histories titles sold over 25 million copies worldwide from China to Brazil.

Currently celebrating their 25th anniversary, the Birmingham Stage Company is one of the world’s top family orientated theatre companies. As well as a dozen years of Horrible Histories shows, they’re known for Roald Dahl’s George’s Marvellous Medicine and David Walliams’ productions, Awful Auntie and Gangsta Granny.

This could be an event for the history books itself! The blurb runs like this: “We all want to meet people from history. The trouble is everyone is dead!

So it’s time to prepare yourselves for a special one-hour production of Horrible Histories featuring MORE of your favourite characters from our barmy past! This brand new compilation show has never toured before and includes a special new scene featuring wordy Will Shakespeare!

Find out why the Romans were revolting! Could you survive the vicious Vikings? Can evil Elizabeth entertain England? Would you party with the Puritans? Clap along with crazy King Charles! Vomit with the vile Victorians and prepare to do battle in the frightful First World War!

It’s history with the nasty bits left in!”

Sandie Webber of Chippenham Town Council said, “I have my ticket booked already. What better place for Horrible Histories than the town of Chippenham where Arthur had his Palace in those days so beloved of Horrible Histories author Terry Deary? Not so much revolting as riveting.”

Adult ticket are £17 and you know you’re going to have just as much fun as the children, who’s tickets are £13.50.